Dispensing apparatus with plural compartments and a valved, flexible, retractable conduit for each compartment



Jan. 2, 1951 o. D. BOE/NKER 2,536,835

DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH PLURAL COMPARTMENTS AND A VALVED, FLEXIBLE, RETRACTABLE CONDUIT FOR EACH COMPARTMENT Filed June 13, 1947 Cl. L IE 0- EOENKEE IN V EN TOR.

A Tree/Yer Patented Jan. 2, 1951 DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH PLURAL COMPARTMENTS AND A VALVED, FLEX- lBLE, RETRACTABLE CONDUIT FOR EACH COMPARTMENT Ollie D. Bcenker, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application June 13, 194:7, Serial No. 754,506

1 Claim.

This invention relates to dispensing devices, and it has particular reference to containers for liquid soap, shampoos, and the like, commonly used and dispensed in beauty salons, barber shops, and similar establishments, and its principal object resides in the provision of a' unit capable of being mounted upon a wall or other suitable support, for convenient access to the operator, such as a beautician or barber, and capable of containing, in a plurality of separate compartments arranged in the device, such liquid substances as soaps and shampoos which can be applied directly from the container to the subject upon which the operations are being performed.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of apparatus in which is provided a plurality of compartments, or which may be made in several separate units conformably arranged together, each containing a separate type of liquid soap or shampoo, or other dispensable products, and affording separate rectractable means from each compartment or unit by which the contents of the apparatus can be dispensed as required and with a minimum of effort and time.

A still further object of the invention is manifest in the provision of apparatus in which the contents may be observed at all times and the quantity or type noted so that the operator may conveniently select the type of product it is desirable to employ.

An object of the invention is that of providing a means whereby such products as soap and shampoo can be dispensed and worked with while obviating the necessity for handling bottles, jugs,

and other similar containers, which are diflicult to manipulate with wet or soapy hands such as may be prevalent during the process of shampooing or washing hair in beauty parlors or barber shops.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a compact and attractive container which may be formed of attractive metals, plastics, or other suitable materials, and which may be of easy and ready access and capable of being refilled with the least difiiculty'and inconvenience by the operator from any type of conventional commercial containers.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure l is a lateral cross-sectional view of the invention, taken on lines ll of Figure 2, illustrating the mounting brackets and the dispensing tubes.

2 Figure 2 is an inverted plan View of the invention, showing a portion of the supporting bracket cut away to illustrate the retractable dispensing .tubes, the valves having been removed therefrom.

Figure 3 is an end elevational View of the invention, showing a portion of the supporting bracket cut away to illustrate a modified form of the retractable dispensing tubes.

Figure 4 is a front view of the invention, shown partially in cross-section, illustrating three separate compartments therein for containing liquids and a storage compartment on one end, and illustrating the closed openings in the top of each compartment for filling the same.

Figure 5 illustrates, in transverse section, one of the dispensing valves.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one of the spools for the retractable dispensing tubes, taken on lines 6--6 of Figure '7, and

Figure 7 illustrates a transverse section through one of the dispensing spools, taken on lines 'l l of Figure 6, illustrating the nipple to which the flexible and retractable dispensing tube is attached.

Accordingly, therefore, the invention comprises a container H], which may be cylindrical in form and have a plurality of compartments therein, as shown in Figure 4, or may consist of a plurality of units capable of being arranged in the fashion illustrated in Figure 4 to result in a cylindrical structure such as that shown in Figures 2 and 4. Each of the compartments H has an opening [2 in its top and each opening has a closure I3 hingedly connected to the member it, as shown in Figure 1. At each end of the assembly is secured a mountin bracket H! which has laterally arranged flanges l5 by which the assembly can be attached to a wall, or other suitable support by screws it, or the like.

In the front of each of the compartments II is provided a transparent window I! through which the contents may be observed. The windows H are provided in order .that not only the quantity of the contents may be determined, but the type thereof may also be observed by the operator or by the subject upon whom operations are to be performed, such as shampooing, and the like. A liquid dispensing tube 18 is connected into the bottom of the member lil, as shown particularly in Figure 1, and extends rearwardly and turned at right angles terminating in a globular tip is which is formed by the swage 20, as shown in Figure 6, over which is arranged one end of a spool 2| having flanges 22 thereon and which has a concentric passage 23 therethrough. A nipple 24 is arranged in the spool 21 and communicates with the passage 23 therein and is turned at right angles, as shown in Figure 7, so that a flexible tube 25 can be fitted thereto and coiled upon the spool 2| in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

A valve 25 is secured to the outer end of the flexible tube 25 by which the contents of the' compartments H can be dispensed in quantities desired. The valve 26 is illustrated in detail in Figure and comprises a body 21. having an oliset portion 28 into which a; closure 29 can be operated on its stem 3i! by a suitable handle 31. The closure 29 is adapted to close the passage through the valve body 21 and is retained in normally closed position by a spring 3-2 on the stem 38', as shown in Figure 5.1 By depressing the handle 3| with the thumb, while gripping the two finger holds 33 by the index and second fingers of the hand, the passage through the body 21 may be opened and the liquid content of the comparte ment ll allowed to flow through the: line and the nozzle E i ofthe valve in desired quantities.

Incandescent lamps 35, or other suitable heating elements, are arranged on suitable mounting brackets 35 beneath the container H3, as shown in Figures 1' and 2, to warm the contents of the container in low temperatures to insure the free flow thereof through the lines l8 and 25 and through the valve 21.

The spools 25: are t'ensioned by coil springs ill to their shafts 38 upon which they are journalled opposite their pivotal connections with the tubes l8 as shown in Figures 2 and 6'. This arrangement provides for the rewinding of the spools 2i when the coiled flexible tubes 25 are drawn out and reeled from the spools 2i and released by the operator. A bar 39- is arranged between the bracket members M beneath the spools 2|, as shown in Figures 1 and 2', and has notches 46- formed therein along its front edge; as apparent in Figure 1', through which the flexible lines 25 can be passed and secured by the valve member 26 which can be moved out of the slot as and used as desired.

In Figure: 3 is illustrated another form of: the invention in which the tube through' which; the contents of the container llii are dispensed. may be entirely of the flexible type and capable of extension to operating position through a, plate 2 extending between the brackets lit and has an opening as therein to accommodate the tube ll and the retracting spring i l connected there-- with to normally retain the assembly in the position shown in Figure 3 when not inuse. The

valve assembly 26 has a circular flange integral therewith which prevents the valve 26 from passing through the opening 43 under the tension of the spring 44.

The shafts 3B of the spools 2| are rigidly supported opposite the tubes I8, as the latter enter the spools- 2l,; by" brackets 46, as shown in Figure 1. A compartment l2 of the assembly, illustrated in Figure 4, may be provided with a hinged closure 41 so that access may be gained to the compartment l2 for storing various types of cosmeticsand other articles therein. Obviously, the compartment 12' may also be subdivided into other compartments by shelves, or the like, if desired.

Manifestly, the invention is capable of considerable changes from time to time by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention, or the scope of the appended claim.

What is; claimed: is:

In; a dispensing: device for: shampoo liquids in beauty salons, in: combination, a cylindrical com tainer having. mounting brackets thereon for attachment to: a support, a plurality of compartments in said container, each having: a separate outlet, a. chamber formed beneath said. container and defined by' said: mounting brackets at each end and an inclined apron along the front, the said. chamber enclosing: the said. outlets from said container, a tensioned spool. arranged on each outlet and pivoted parallel to: the axis of said. container andihaving a liquid passage therethrough connected to its said outlet, a flexible tube reeled upone'aoh of said spools and having its inner end communicating with said liquid passage of its said spool, and a plunger actuated dispensing valve attached to the discharge end of each: said tube,

QLLIE D. B'OENKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record' in the file of this patent! UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name": Date 105,641 Carleton l July 26", 1870 513,803 Luster Jan. 30, 18 945 586,758 Carter July 20, 1897' 1,502,352 Simonson July 22", 1-9-24 1,939,980 Hillyard Dec. I9; 1933' 2 ,002,777 Johnson- May 28 1 935 2231 852 Lear'fi Feb. 1 1 I941 2,255,180 Marvel Sept. 9', 1941 

